Many of us enjoy using social media and might even have several profiles on various platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. While these are all excellent ways to keep in touch with friends and family, or even a way to make new connections, using social media while in the midst of a divorce can quickly complicate things and derail your case. With so much on the line, it is important that you understand the detrimental effects of continuing to use social media at this time.
Below is a list of some reasons why you should reconsider your choice to remain engaged in social media activity:
- Pictures can be damaging: As the wise old adage goes, a picture is absolutely worth a thousand words, so be careful with what you share online. Posting pictures that depict you partaking in something that could be characterized as irresponsible or unsavory at a time when you are trying to fight for custody of your children can cause some serious problems for you. A judge might decide that you are an unfit parent, so do not gamble with your chances of obtaining the custody arrangement you desire. Err on the side of caution and refrain from posting any pictures.
- Your spending habits are evident: You are probably not posting about your annual salary and you are certainly not talking about what your monthly living expenses are, but that does not mean these facts cannot be easily gleaned from looking at your posts. For example, if you post about an exotic trip you recently went on or an extravagant purchase you made, but claim to be unable to make spousal support payments, you are going to look like a liar. Social media can provide a lot of insight and clues into someone’s finances, so simply hold back from posts that could potentially reveal what you spend.
- Your secrets are out in the open: Even if you were not married for long, you and your spouse likely share a fair amount of friends, so even if you unadd him or her on every social media platform, chances are that one of your mutual friends might still share any pertinent information you post online with your soon-to-be-ex. In fact, your spouse might even find out things without your friends or family having to spill the beans if they tag you in a post. Be proactive and ask your friends and family not to tag you in any posts or share any pictures of you until your divorce is finalized. You should also take a moment to reinforce your own privacy settings.
- Your posts are forever: If you think deleting a post that you regret is going to solve things, think again. Once you put something out there on the internet, you cannot take it back and there is always a chance someone might have screenshot your post before you tried to get rid of it. This is not the time to be impulsive and post long angry rants about your spouse or the divorce process, so think twice before you share your thoughts with the internet.
Ultimately, the best thing to do at this time is to stay off social media until your divorce case reaches a resolution. If you simply cannot imagine not posting online, then give careful consideration to everything you choose to share. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you would mind a judge seeing your post. If you are unsure of the answer, do not post it.
Divorce Attorney in Newport Beach
If you and your spouse are going through a divorce, you need to have skilled legal representation on your side to protect your interests and ensure the process goes smoothly. At Burch Shepard Family Law Group, our Newport Beach divorce team is here to provide the knowledgeable and insightful legal advice you need during this difficult time. Our certified family law specialists are backed by over 130 years of experience, which we will use to your advantage.
Get started on your case today and contact us at (949) 565-4158 to request your initial case evaluation with one of our skilled divorce attorneys.
